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BlINIiEK HILL BATTLE. 



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HISTORY 



• 



BATTLE OF BREED'S HILL, 



»T 



MAJOR-GENERALS WILLIAM HEATH, HENRY LEE, JAMES 
WILKINSON AND HENRY DEARBORN. 



^ 9 9- 



COMPILED BY CHARLES COFFIN, 



SACO: 

rniNTED BY WILLI^IM J. CORDON. 

1831. 






Having for years been satisfied tbat the accounts of Breed's Hiii 
Battle, as given by Gordon, Warren, Ranaey and Marshall, are defective 
and imperfect, I have been induced to publish the transactions of that 
memorable event, as given by four American Major Generals, who were 
either in the action or had the beat possible opportunities of being fully 
acquainted with the details of it. And who from their profession were 
better qualified to give a full and fair narrative, than any others who 
have undertaken it. To which are added the depositions of a number o^^ 
highly respectable gentlemen who were eye witnessesof and partaker of 
the glory of that proud day. 

The following sheets, it is believed, will give a more full and accurate 
view of the troops engaged, by whom commanded and all the transac- 
tions of the day, than any narrative extant. 

My objects are truth and justice to the living and the dead. 
Portland THE COMPILER. 



^^^ 



eOrV-RlGUT SECCf.EP ACCORDI.NG TO LAW 






BATTLE OF BREED'S HILL. 



An Account of the Battle of Bunkerh or Breedh Hill, extract- 
ed Jrom the Memoirs of Major-Geneml Wm. Heath, 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AUGUST, 1798. 



" In the month of June it was determined to take pos- 
session of the heights of Charlestown. Preparations were 
made for the purpose ; and on the 16th, at night, a strong 
detachment from the American army marched on, and 
broke ground on Breed^s Hill, in front of Bunker's Hill. — 
The latter ought to have been taken possession of at the 
same time, but it was somehow omitted. 

By the morning of the 1 7th, the troops had a redoubt 
and line on its left flank in good forwardness, when they 
were discovered by the British. The lively man of war 
first began to cannonade the Americans ; she was soon sec- 
onded by other ships, floating batteries, and some cannon 
oa Cop''s Hill, on the Boston side, which the Americans 
bore with a good degree of firmness, and continued at their 
work. The British army in Boston were greatly alarmed 
at this near approach, and immediately resolved on an at- 
tack, before the works could be completed. A detachment 
was formed for the purpose, consisting of ten companies 
of Grenadiers, ten of Light Infantry, and the 5th, 38th, 
43d, and 52d regiments, and a corps of Artillery, under the 
command of Maj. Gen. Howe, and Brig. Gen. Pigot. In 
the afternoon they landed on Charlestown Point without 
opposition, where they were afterwards reinforced by the 
47th regiment, and the first battalion of marines. The 
regiments in Cambridge camp were ordered down to sup- 
port the detachment at Charlestown, and to occupy other 
posts thought to be essential, and contiguous thereto. The 
British began their attack with a severe fire of artillery, 
and advanced in a slow and regular pace. The Americans 
who had marched on to the aid of the detachment, consis- 
ted of the New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut 
troops, hastily formed a line of defence, composed of 
rails and other materials found nearest at hand. This line 
extended down towards the low ground on the left, and was 
nobly defended. The Americans reserved their fire until 



the British came very near, when they gave it to great ef- 
fect ; it staggered, and even broke them, but they rallied, 
and returned to the charge again and again, drove the 
Americans from the lines on the left of the redoubt, and 
had nearly surrounded it, when the Americans rushed out 
of the redoubt, their ammunition being expended, and 
made their retreat, even tlirough part of the British forces. 
About this time Maj. Gen. Warren, who had been but a few 
days before commissioned, and was then on the hill as a 
spectator only, was killed. A number of Americans were 
killed in retreating from Breed's Hill, to Bunker Hill, and 
some in passing off over the neck. Perhaps there never 
was a better fought battle than this, all things considered ; 
and too much praise can never be bestowed on the conduct 
of Col. William Prescott^ who, notwithstanding any thing 
that may have been said, was the proper commanding officer^ 
at the redoubt, and nobly acted his part as such, during the 
whole action. 

Just before the action began, Gen. Putnam came to the 
redoubt, and told Col. Prescott that the entrenching tools 
must be sent off, as they would be lost ; the Colonel repli- 
ed, that if he sent any of the men away with the tools, not 
one of them would return ; to this the General answered, 
they shall every man return. A large party was then 
sent off with the tools, and not one of them returned j in 
this instance the Colonel was the best judge of human na- 
ture. In the time of action, Col. Prescott observed that 
the brave Gen. Warren was near the works, he immedi- 
ately stepped up to him, and asked him if he had any or- 
ders to give him. The General replied that he had none, 
that lie exercised no command there — " The command," 
said the General, " is yours." 

While many officers aud soldiers gallantly distinguished 
themselves in this action, others were blamed, and some 
were brought to trial by court-martial. This was a sore 
battle to the British, who did not forget it, during several 
campaigns, nor until a tide of successes in their favor had 
removed it from their minds. Their whole force on this 
day, which was in action, was supposed to be about 2,000, 
and their whole loss, in killed and wounded, was said to be 
upwards of 1,000, of whom 226 were killed, and of the?e, 
19 were commissioned officers, including one liieutenant 
Colonel, two Majors, and seven Captains. Another ac- 
count stated their killed and wounded to be 753 privates, 
202 sergeants and corporals, and 92 commissioned officers ; 
in the whole, 1047. The loss of the Americans, in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners, was about 450. 



At the time the British made their attack, the houses in 
Charlestown were set on fire, and burnt most furiously, 
which increased the horrors of the scene. At the same 
time a furious cannonade and throwing of shells took place 
at the lines on Boston neck, against Roxbury, with intent 
to burn that town ; but although several shells fell among 
the houses, and some carcasses near them, and balls went 
through some ; no other damage was sustained than the 
loss of one man killed by a shot driving a stone from the 
wall against him. 



Reflections on the Campaigns of Sir William Howe, on his re- 
signing the command of the British Armies in America^ 
with an incidental account of the battle of Bunker"': 
Hill, extracted from Major General Henry Lee's 
♦' Memoirs of the War in the Southern De- 
partment of the United States,'' Pub- 
lished 1812. 

It is impossible to pass over this period of the American 
war withoui giving vent to some of those reflections which 
it necessarily excites. Sir William Howe was considered 
one of the best soldiers in England, when charged witli the 
important trust of stibduing the revolted colonies. Nev- 
er did a British General, in any period of that nation, com- 
mand an army better fitted to insure success than the one 
submitted to his direction, whether we regard its compar- 
ative strength with that opposed to it, the skill of the offi- 
cers, the discipline and courage of the soldiers, tlie ade- 
quacy of all the implements and munitions of war, and 
the abundance of the best supplies of every sort. In ad- 
dition, his brother Lord Howe commanded a powerful 
fleet on our coast, for the purpose of subserving the views, 
and supporting tlie measures of the commander in chief. 
Passing over the criminal supineness which marked his 
conduct after the battle of Long Island, and the fatal mis- 
take of the plan of the campaign 1777. (the firsl; and lead- 
ing feature of which ought to have been junction with 



Burgoyne and the undisturbed possession of the North riv- 
er) we must be permitted to look at him with scrutiiious 
though impartial eyes, when pursuing his own object, 
and directed by his own judgment, after his disembarka- 
tion at the head of the Chesapeake. 

We find him continuing to omit pressing the various ad- 
vantages he dearly gained, from time to time. He was 
ever ready to appeal to the sword, and but once retired 
from his enemy. But he does not seem to have known, 
that to win a victory was but the first step in the actions 
of a great captain. To improve it, is as essential ; and 
unless tiie first is followed by the second, the conquer- 
or ill requites those brave companions of his toils and per- 
ils, to whose disregard of difficulties and contempt of death, 
he is so much indebted for the laurel which entwines his 
brow ; and basely neglects his duty to his country, whose 
confidence in his zeal for lier good, had induced her to 
commit to his keeping, her fame and interest. 

After his victory at Brandywine, he was, by his own 
official statement, less injured than his adversary ; yet with 
many of his corps, entire and fresh, we find him wasting 
three precious days, with the sole ostensible object of 
sending his wounded to Wilmington. Surely the detach- 
ment, charged with this service, was adequate to their pro- 
tection on the field of battle, as afterwards on the march ; 
and certainly it required no great exertion of mind to have 
made this arrangement in the course of one hour, and to 
have pursued the beaten foe, after the refreshments and re- 
pote enjoyed in one night. This was omitted. He ad- 
hered to the same course of conduct after the battle of 
Germantown, when the ill-boding tidings, from the north- 
ern warfare, emphatically called upon him to press his 
victory, in order to comjjensate for the lieavy loss likely 
to be sustained by the captivity of Burgoyne and his ar- 
my. But what is most surprising, after the Delaware was 
restored to his use, and the communication with the fleet 
completely enjoyed, that he should have relinquished his 
resolution of fighting Washington at White Marsh, hav- 
ing ar^certained by his personal observation, that no mate- 
rial difficulty presented itself on the old York road, by 
which route he could, with facility, have turned Wash- 
ington's left, and have compelled him to a change of posi- 
tion with battle, or to a perilous retreat. And last, 
though nut least in magnitude, knowing as Sir William 
ought to have known, the sufferings and wants of every 
kind to which Washington was exposed at Valley Forge, 
as well as that his army was urider innoculation for the 



small pox, while he himself was so abundantly supplied 
with every article requisite to give warmth and comfort 
to his troops, it is wonderful how he could omit venturing 
a winter campaign, to him promising every advantage, 
and to his antagonist, menacing every ill — this too, when 
the fate of Burgoyne was no longer doubtful, and its ad- 
verse influence on foreign powers unquestionable, unless 
balanced by some grand and daring stroke on his part. 
The only plan practicable was that above suggested ; an 
experiment urged by all the considerations which ever can 
command high spirited enterprise. 

These are undeniable truths ; and they involve an in- 
quisitive mind in a perplexity not easy to be untangled. 
It would be absurd to impute this conduct to a want of 
courage in Sir William Howe ; for all acknowledge that 
he eminently possessed that quality. Nor can it be justly 
ascribed to either indolence of disposition, or a habit of 
sacrifi:ir?<?: hh duties to self care ; for he possessed a robust 
body, wiitk an active mind, and although a man of pleas- 
ure, subdued, when necessary, its captivating allurements 
with facility. To explain it, as some have done, by sup- 
posing him friendly to the revolution, and therefore to 
connive at its success, would be equally stupid and unjust, 
for no part of Sir William's life is stained with a smgle 
departure from the line of honor. Moreover, traitors are 
not to be found among British Generals, whose fidelity is 
secured by education, by their grade and importance in so- 
ciety, and by the magnificent rewards of government sure 
to follow distinguished efforts. The severe admonition, 
which Sir William had received from the disastrous bat- 
tle of Bunker's, or rather Breed's Hill, furnishes the most 
probable explanation *of this mysterious inertness. On 
that occasion, he commanded a body of chosen troops, in- 
ured to discipline, and nearly double in number to his foe ; 
possessed of artillery in abundance, prepared in the best 
manner ; with an army at hand ready to re-inforce him, 
and led by officers, many of whom had seen service, all of 
whom had been bred to arms. His enemy was a corps of 
countrymen, who, for the first time, were unsheathing 
their swords ; without artillery ; defectively armed with 
fowling pieces, and muskets without ba\'onets ; destitute 
of that cheering comfort, with which experience animates 
the soldier ; with no other w^orks than a slight redoubt, 
and a slighter trench, terminating in a yet slighter breast- 
work. 

Sir William found this feeble enemy posted on the mar- 
gin, and along the acclivity of tlie hill, commanded by 



8 

Col. Prescott,* then unknown to fame ; yet Sir William 
beheld these brave yeomen — while the conflagration of a 
town was blazing in their faces, while their flanks were 
exposed to maratime annoyance, and their front was as- 
sailed by regulars in proud array under the protection of 
cannon in full discharge — receive the terrible shock with 
firmness, coolly await his near approach, and then reso- 
lutely pour in a charge, which disciplined courage could 
not sustain. He saw his gallant troops fly — afterwards 
brought to rally with their colors, and indignant at the re- 
pulse, return with redoubled fury. Sir William again 
saw these daring countrymen, unappalled in heart, un- 
broken in line, true to their generous leader, and inbred 
valor, calmly reserving themselves for the fatal moment, 
when his close advance presented an opportunity of wing- 
ing every ball with death. Again the British soldiers, 
with the pupil of the immortal Wolfe at their head, 
sought safety in flight. Restoring his troops to order, Sir 
William Howe advanced the third time, supported by na- 
val co-operation, which had now nearly demolished our 
slender defences. Notwithstanding this tremendous com- 
bination, Sir William saw his gallant enemy maintain their 
ground, without prospect of succor, until their ammuni- 
tion was nearly expended : then, abandoning their works 
as the British entered them, they took the only route open 
to their escape with decision and celerity. 

The sad and impressive experience of this murderous 
day sunk deep into the mind of Sir William Howe ; and 
it seems to have had its influence on all his subsequent op- 
erations, with decisive control. In one instance only did 
he ever depart from the most pointed circumspection ; and 
that was, in the assault on Red Bank, from his solicitude 
to restore the navigation of the Delaware deemed essential 
to the safety of his army. The doleful issue of this single 
departure renewed the solemn advice inculcated at Breed's 

*The honor conferred upon Colonel Prescott was only a promotion in 
the army soon afler established ; and this, the writer was informed by a 
gentleman residing in Boston who was well acquainted with Col. Prescott, 
consisted only in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel in a regiment of infantry. 
Considering himself entitled to a regiment, the hero of Breed's Hill would 
not accept a second station. Warren, who fell nobly supporting the action, 
was the favorite of the day, and has engrossed the fame due to Prescott. 
Bunker's Hill too has been considered as the field of battle, when it is 
well known that it was fought on Breed's Hill, the nearest of the two 
hills to Boston. No man reveres the character of Warren more than the 
writer ; and he considers himself not only, by his obedience (o truth, doing 
justice to Colonel Prescott, but performing an acceptable service to the 
memory of the illustrious Warren, who, being a really great man, would 
disdain to wear laurels not his own. 



Hill, and extinguished his spirit of enterprise. This is the 
only way in which it seems to me, the mysterious inertness 
which marked the conduct of the British General, so fatsl 
in its effect to the British cause, can be intelligibly solved. 
The military annals of the world rarely furnish an a- 
chievement which equals the firmness and courage dis- 
played on that proud day by the gallant band of Americans ; 
and it certainly stands first in the brilliant events of onr 



war 



When future generations shall enquire, where are the 
men who gained the highest prize of glory in the arduous 
contest which ushered in our nation's birth — Upon 
Prescott and his companions in arms will the eye of 
history beam." 



^^ *^ rapid sketch of the Battle of Breed^s HilU^ By Major 
Gen. James Wilkinson, Published, 1816. 



" On the augmentation of his force in May, 1775, Gen. 
Gage determined to occupy the heights of Dorchester to 
the South of Boston, and those of Charlestown on the 
north of the town ; the occupation of these points was not 
only necessary to the extension of his qnartei's, but indis- 
pensable to his holding of them. It was therefore deter- 
mined in the first instance to seize upou Dorchester 
heights, as they were the most commanding, and of easiest 
access to the provincials. Preparations were accordingly 
made, and agreeably to the plan concerted, Major General 
Howe was to have landed at the point of the peninsula 
nearest the castle ; Major General Clinton on the flat be- 
tween that place and Nook's Hill, whilst ^lajor General 
Burgoyne was to take post on the neck, and amuse the pro- 
vincials at Roxbury with a heavy cannonade ; and from 
the strength, disposition, and equipments of those corps at 
that period, no effectual opposition could have been made 
to this operation of the royal army, and a few days more 
would have put it in possession of Buukn;'-^ Hill also. 
2 



10 

The arrangements of General Gage, preparatory to those 
meditated operations, necessarily attracted the observation 
of the inhabitants of Boston, and being communicated to 
the Provincial Congress, they became jealous of some hog- 
tile movement, without being able to penetrate the obj^ect 
of it. It appears probable that under this impression, thev 
recommended to a council of war, which had been insti- 
tuted, the fortification of Dorchester neck and Bunker"* 
Hill, on the ground of precautionary defence^ the very same 
motive by which the council of British officers had been 
actuated ; for if the views of the provincial Congress had 
been offensive, the heights of Dorchester could not have 
escaped their attention, because from thence both the town 
and harbor were exposed to annoyance. 

The resolution of the provincial council of war being 
taken, Col. Prescott, a man of strong mind and dauntless 
resolution, who, I understand, had served in the seven year* 
war as a provincial subaltern, seconded by a Colonel Brew- 
er, who also served in the same war as a sergeant of ran- 
gers, was ordered with one thousand Massachusetts men, 
to take possession of Bunker's Hill, but whether by mis- 
taking the spot, which seems improbable. Colonel Prescott 
passed the crown of Bunker's Hill about 600 yards, and 
broke ground on Breed's Hill, about 1200 yards from the 
British Battery on Cop's Hill in North Boston ; he there 
projected regular squares, as well as I can recollect,* of 
fifty yards, without a flanking angle, the front of which, 
towards Boston, ranged about N. E. and S. W. with the en- 
trance or aperture in the centre of the opposite side ; a par- 
apet breast high had been thrown up, and a retrenchment ^from 
the N. E. angle of the ditch in.front, had been pushed about 
100 yards down the declivity towards Mystic river, with 
the apparent design of continuing it across a hollow or 
indenture of the surface, to the bank of that river ; from 
the N. E. angle of the redoubt, in rear, a post and rail 
fence, ranging with the N. E. side of the redoubt, ran 
back about 200 yards, where it was intersected nearly at 
right angles by a similar fence, extended about 300 yards 
to the bank of Mystic river, which at the junction was 8 
or 9 feet perpendicular height ; in front of the last line 
of fence from tlie bank of the Mystic river, the ground 
was smooth, without obstruction, declining gently 60 or 
80 yards, where it fell off abruptly. The bank of the 
Mystic river appeared firm and flat. These details are 
given from memoranda taken hastily, almost forty one 
vears since, and theiefore I crave consideration, should 



♦I oxTin ncd it tlie i7lh of Mirch, 1776, the day the enemy evacuated 
Postoii. 



11 

they be in any particular imperfect. This rectangu- 
lar work of Colonel Prescott's was so far advanced, that 
his men were pretty well covered in the ditch and re- 
trenchment, and behind the parapet, before he was dis- 
covered in the morning, although the Lively frigate lay 
immediately before him in the ferry way between 
Charlestown and Boston, and a ship of the line, with the 
Falcon sloop of war, a few hundred yards to the eastward. 
The batteries of these vessels, and several gun boats, 
with that on Cop's Hill, were opened against the Pro- 
vincials as soon as they were discovered, and the cannon- 
ade was continued without cessation ; but from the ele- 
vation of the hill, with so little effect, that the Americans 
continued their work. 

The British General was startled by this encroach- 
ment, which left him no time to deliberate ; for although 
Bunker's Hill would have given little annoyance to Bos- 
ton, Breed's Hill positively commanded the northern part 
of it. Major General Howe, therefore, being first for 
duty, was ordered with ten companies of grenadiers, and 
ten of light infantry, and the 5th, 38th, 43d, and 52d, 
regiments, to dislodge the Provincials ; and on this ser- 
vice, seconded by Brigadier General Pigot, he embarked 
in barges about noon, and rowed to Morton's point, 
the eastern extremity of the peninsula of Charlestown, 
and the present site of the Navy Yard of the U. States, 
where he landed and formed without opposition ; but 
disliking the disposition and aspect of the Provincials, he 
ordered his troops to set down, and sent back to Boston 
for a reinforcement, to land and co-operate from the side 
of Charlestown ; for which service the 47th regiment 
and 1st battalion of marines were detached ; and yet 
this corps of Sir William Howe, composed of five regi- 
ments, one battalion, and twenty flank companies, has 
been generally reported at about 2000 men ; but surely 
64 companies, at least, cannot be reckoned for less than 
3000, and this number I shall claim, for the honor of 
Prescott and Stark, and the yeomanry of Massachusetts 
and New Hampshire, who, I have been assured by sever- 
al spectators of the action, were the only troops engaged, 
and that the whole number did not exceed 1500 comba- 
tants. General Howe halted at Morton's point, as well 
to arrange and refresh his corps for combat, as to wait 
the reinforcement ; being perfectly concealed from ob- 
servation in his front by the nature of the ground. Pres- 
cott, at the same time manned his redoubt, and the re- 
trenchment, and occupied the circumjacent ground in 



12 

lh« most adrantageous manner he could, with about 800 
men out of the one thousand ordered for the service ; 
whilst General Putnam and a Colonel Gerrish took post 
with about 1,500 men, on and around Bunker's Hill. In 
the mean time. Colonel Stark, with his own regiment 
and that of Reed's from New Hampshire, amounting to 
about 700 men, half organized,* and wretchedly equip- 
ped,! were pressing for the scene of action ; Captain H. 
Dearborn, (lately a Major-general, and turned out of 
service by the good President Madison, to make room for 
his favourites Brown and Scott,) marched on Colonel 
Starks' right, traversed the causae way under a heavy 
cross fire from floating batteries, and passed General 
Putnam on Bunker Hill, with Colonel Gerrish by his 
side, and 1,000 or 1,200 men under their orders ; as this 
corps of citizen soldiers approached the redoubt under 
the cannonade of the enemy's batteries from Charles riv- 
er, and Cop's Hill, Colonel Stark determined to form 
his men behind the post and rail fences before described ; 
but when he reached the bank of Mystic, he cast his eyes 
down upon the beach, and as he observed to me on the 
spot, thought it was so plain a way that the enemy could 
not miss it ; he therefore ordered a number of his boys to 
jomp down the bank, and with stones from the adjacent 
walls, they soon threw up a strong breast work to the 
water's edge, behind which he posted triple ranks of his 
choice men ; in the mean time, those who formed in rear 
of the fences, to conceal themselves from the enemy, fil- 
led the space between the rails with grass and hay, be- 
hind which they either knelt or sat down, every man 
having made an aperture in the grassy rampart, through 
which, while resting his fusee, he could take deliberate 
aim. 

Captain Dearborn was posted with his company near- 
est the redoubt, on the right of Stark's line. — About one 

• The men hastily chose their company ofiiceri, but Stark had for 
hia Major, Andrew McCleary, Esq. who had been distinguished for his 
resolution, zeal and patriotism, in planning and leading the attack of 
the castle at Portsmouth, the lat December, 1774, and seizing the ordi- 
nance, arms, and military stores found therein; he had this day discharged 
hii duty with great gallantry in the field, and escaped unhurt, but re- 
turning to bring off some men scattered in the rear, he was killed by a 
cannon ball from one of the enemy's floating batteries near the neck. 

t The men were armed with fusils of various calibres, each individu- 
al was furnished with one quarter of a pound of powder in a horn, one 
flint, and lead sufficient to make fifteen charges either of ball or buck 
shot ; the men prepared their ammunition according to their discretion, 
some with cartridges and others with loose ammunition ; the powder in 
their horns, and the lead in their pockets. 



13 

o'clock General Howe put two columns and a detach- 
ment with his artillery in motion ; one column marched 
by the beach, and his light infantry led the other on the 
margin of the bank of the Mystic, and directly to the left 
of Col. Stark's line ; the detachment and artillery, from 
the best information I have been able to procure, inclin- 
ed towards his left, and commenced a feeble attack a- 
gainst the redoubt at long shot, apparently with a design 
to draw the attention of Col. Prescott, whilst the column 
on the beach, and that on tiie bank of the Mystic, were 
designed to turn the flank and gain the rear of the Pro- 
vincials on Breed's Hill, which they would have accom- 
plished, if they had not been driven back. Col. Stark's 
orders to his men, who were concealed behind the stone 
wall on the beach, were not to fire until the front of the 
enemy reached a point which he had marked in the bank 
at eight or ten rods distance, and those on the bank im- 
mediately under his eye, were directed to reserve their 
fires until they could see the enemy's half gaiters, which 
from the form of the ground, would bring them within 
the same distance ; in this situation of the Provincials, 
the columns of the enemy on the beach and the bank ad- 
vanced by heavy platoons, without firing, as if not ap- 
prised of what awaited them, and when within the pre- 
scribed distance, received a volley which mowed down 
the whole front ranks, and the columns were instantly 
broken and fell back in disorder, that on the beach, en- 
tirely out of the combat, having ninety-six* men killed 
outright, before they could escape the American fire ; on 
the banks the light infantry fell back until covered by 
the ground, then re-formed, and again advanced to the at- 
tack, and were again repulsed with similar slaughter ; 
three times were these brave unfortunate men led to the 
charge, and were finally repulsed. f Sir William Howe 
now gave up his first plan of attack, to force his way into 
the rear of the Provincials, and making an entire new 
disposition, he directed his whole force against the re- 
doubt, attacking it on three sides at the same time. Gen. 
Clinton, with the 47th regiment and the battalion of ma- 
rines on the right ; Gen. Pigot with the 5th, 38th and 
43d regiments, in the centre ; and the Commander, with 

* Mr. John Winslow, then in Boston,! understand, counted this num- 
ber the next day. This gentleman served with much reputation in the 
Artillery of the Revolution, and was at the capture of Burgoyne, and 
has been long since a Mrijor-general in the Militia of Massachueells. 

t I had these details from Col. Stark on the field, the 17th of March, 
1776, and I remember h's obsefving " the dead lay as thick as sheep in 
a foal ;" it was at this point the enemy suffered most severely. 



14 

llie grenadiers and 52d regiment on the left ; the light 
infantry appear to have been put hors de combat. 

The retrenchment was turned on the left and entered 
by the grenadiers, but being exposed to the perpendicu- 
lar fire of the redoubt and the oblique fire of Captain 
Dearbon, they were obliged to abandon it. Assailed in 
his front and flanks by three fold numbers, Prescott per- 
severed with great obstinacy and valor, until his ammu- 
nition was nearly expended, and the redoubt was forced 
by the grenadiers at the angle, which joined the retrench- 
ment. He was then obliged to give way, and his men of 
course retreated in disorder. After the third repulse of 
the light infantry, and whilst the attack was carried 
against the redoubt, Stark's men behind the post and rail 
fence near the Mystic were unassailed and unoccupied, 
and the scenes near the redoubt being obscured by the 
smoke, they were induced to retreat reluctantly after the 
work was carried. If they had been thrown forward, 
where the light infantry finally gave way, to attack Sir 
William's right flank and rear, the issue of this conflict 
might have proved unfortunate for him ; or if General 
Putnam had moved up with Col. Gerrish and the men 
who remained stationary within 600 yards of the combat, 
which lasted an hour and an half, the triumph of the pro- 
vincials would have been decisive, and those of the Brit- 
ish corps wlio were not killed must have surrendered, 
which would probably have terminated the contest, 
and prevented the dissever ment of the British empire ; 
but I understand from high authority, that it was in vain 
Col. Prescott sent messenger after messenger to entreat 
General Putnam to come to his succor ; he rode about 
Bunker's Hill, while the battle raged under his eye, with 
a number of entrenching tools slung across his horse, but 
did not advance a step, and was passed, with Col. Ger- 
rish at his side, by Stark and Dearbon, as they retreated, 
near the spot where they saw him when they advanced ; 
and for this conduct Colonel Prescott never ceased to 
reprobate the General. In respect to tlje patriot. Doc- 
tor Warren, whose acknowledged talents and virtues, and 
zeal and devotion to the cause of his country, have con- 
secrated his memory to endless time, he arrived at the 
redoubt a short time before the action commenced, and 
on his appearance, being known as a general officer re- 
cently appointed, the gallant Colonel Prescott addresse d 
himself to him, and demanded, " Doctor Warren, do 
you come here to take command." " No, Colonel," re- 
plied the Doctor, "^ but to give what assistance I can, and 



15 

to let these damned rascals see," pointing to the British 
troops, " that the Yankees will fight."* I understood 
he performed his duty with his firelock, and it is certain 
he fell in the retreat, in the rear of, and a little to the 
right of the redoubt, it is said, by a random shot through 
the head. The sanguinary merits of this combat would 
not disgrace Chippewa or Bridgevvater ; but in this case 
the liberties of North America formed the ground of com- 
bat, whilst in the other, military eclat and individual ex- 
altation were alone contended for. The loss of the pro- 
vincials were 453 all ranks included, among whom. Doc- 
tor Warren, Colonel Gardner, Lieutenant Colonel Par- 
ker, Major McClarey and Major Moore were the only 
characters of distinction. The loss of the British of all 
ranks was 1054, of whom 19 commissioned officers were 
killed, and among them one Lieutenant Colonel, two 
Majors, and seven Captains ; and seventy were wounded. 
Such were the immediate fruits of this battle, but its ef- 
fects were co-extensive with the American war, leaving im- 
pressions on the minds of the British commander which 
saved the country from great loss of blood and heavy ca- 
lamities. This isolated sketch being intended as a mere 
record of facts little known, it may be proper to state, 
that between Prescott and Stark there was no preconcert 
or plan of co-operation ; each fought his distinct corps, 
and defended his ground, according lo his own judgment, 
and there was no general command exercised on the 
field, as soon as the men were stationed, every one rea- 
soned and resolved for himself, and fought for his coun- 
try, under the direction of his own will ; and the conse- 
quences shew what cannot be denied, that one deliberate 
well directed shot, is worth an hundred and twenty 
thrown away by platoon or file firing, in the ordinary 
hurry of military actions, particularly under the shade of 
nighty and at 600 yards distance. General Ward the Com- 
mander in Cliief, listened to the thunder of the battle 
from his quarters in Cambridge ; and all the reinforce- 
ments which arrived at Bunker's Hill, after Colonel 
Stark had passed, halted and kept company with Gen. 
Putnam and Col. Gerrish. The Col. was casliiered, but 
the General, being distinguished for his popularity, his 
integrity, and patriotism, served as third in command at 
the termination of the American Revolution. 

The habits and feelings of our countrymen at the com- 
mencement of the revolution have been described in tlie 

* This fact is taken from the lips of Dr. Eustis, our Minister at ths 
Hague, who was present i» liie redoubt. 



16 

beginning of this volume, and when contrasted with those 
of the present day, they will receive a favourable award 
from every virtuous and reflecting citizen, while the 
youth of the present day, whether reared im military a- 
cademies or metropolitan schools, thougii they may be 
taught to call ambition virtue, will find among their pre- 
decessors examples worthy of any age or nation, in which 
ambition was united with the sentiments of love of coun- 
try and inseparable from social virtue. Those, then, who 
desire to stifle in the rising generation, that God-like sen- 
sibility, which weeps over the sufferings of a fellow 
creature, or to impair the force of the divine injunction 
which teaches man, " to do as he would be done by," in- 
stead of instructing his son in the civil arts and useful 
sciences, should encourage military academies, and teach 
them how to wield the sabre or to set the squadron, and 

" To know the hardships of a lengthened war, 
" What treasures it must cost, wliat scenes of blood, 
" What vast expenses, wiiat unnumbered toils, 
"Equipping fleets and mustering armies aak.' 

The following animated description of the Battle of 
Breed's Hill and its attendant horrors, from the pen of 
one of the most elegant scholars and accomplished gen- 
tlemen of his day,* will exhibit to the people of these 
States, the baibarian influence of military education and 
habits on the human mind, and will shew them how men 
accustomed to scenes of horror and distress, may be 
charmed by the savage sublimity of blazing towns and 
bleeding hosts, to the dissolution of the first duties and 
obligations of intelligent social beings, and the extinction 
of the endearing and consoling virtues of humanity and 
religion. 

" And now ensued one of the greatest scenes of war 
that can be conceived ; if we look at the height, Howe's 
corps ascending the hill in the face of intrenchments, and 
in a very disadvantageous ground, were much engaged, 
to the left the enemy pouring in fre:=h troops by thou- 
sands over the land ; and in tlie arm of the sea our ships 
and floating batteries cannonading them ; straight before 
us a large and noble town, in one great blaze, the church 
stee[)les and heights of our own camj) covered with spec- 
tators of the rest of the army, which was not enga- 
ged ; the hills round the country covered with spec- 
tators ; the enemy all in anxious suspense ; and the roar 
of cannon, mortars and musketry ; the crash of chur- 
ches, shij)s upon the stocks, and whole streets falling to- 

*Gen. Burgoyne. 



17 



gether in ruins, to fill the ear ; the storm of the re- 
doubts, with the objects above described, to fill the eye ; 
and the reflection that perhaps a defeat was a final loss to 
the British empire in America, to fill the mind, made the 
whole picture a complication of horror and importance, 
beyond any thing that ever came to my lot to witness." 



An account of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, by Major Gen. 
eral Henry Dearborn, Published 1818. 
" On the 16th of June, 1775, it was determined that a 
fortified post should be established at or near Bunker's 
Hill. 

A detachment of the army was ordered to advance ear- 
ly in the evening of that day, and commence the erection 
of a strong work on the heights in the rear of Charles- 
town, at that time called Breed's Hill, but from its prox- 
imity to Bunker's Hill, the battle has taken its name from 
the latter eminence, which overlooks it. 

The work was commenced and carried on under the 
direction of such engineers as we were able to procure 
at that time. It was a square redoubt, the curtains of 
which were about 60 or 70 feet in extent, with an in- 
trencliment, or breast work, extending 50 or 60 feet from 
the northern angle, towards Mvstic river. 

In the course of the night the ramparts had been rais- 
ed to the height of 6 or 7 feet, with a small ditch at 
their base, but it was in yet a rude and imperfect state. 
Being in full view from the northern heights of Boston, 
it was discovered by the enemy, as soon as the daylight 
appeared, and a determination was immediately formed 
by Gen. Gage, for dislodging our troops from this new 
and alarming position. Arrangements were promptlv 
made for effecting this important object. The move- 
ments of the British troops indicating an attack, were 
^oon discovered, in consequence of which, orders were 



18 

imnieclialcly issued for (he marcli of a considerable part 
of our army to reitiforce the detachment at the redoubts 
on Breed's Hill ; but such was tlie imperfect state of dis- 
cipline, the want of knowledge in military science, and 
the deficiency of the materials of war, that the move- 
ment of the troops w^as extremely irregular and devoid 
of every thing like concert — each regiment advancing 
according to the ojjinions, feelings or caprice of its com- 
mander. 

Col. Stark's* regiment was quartered in Medford, dis- 
tant about four miles from the point of anticipated attack. 
It then consisted of thirteen companies, and was proba- 
bly the largest regiment in the army. About ten o'clock 
in the morning he received orders to march. The regi- 
ment being destitute of ammunition, it formed in front of 
a house occupied as an arsenal, v. here each man receiv- 
ed a gill cup full of powder, fifteen balls and one flint. 

The several Captains were then ordered to march their 
companies to their respective quarters, and make up 
their powder and ball into cartridges, with the greatest 
j)ossible despatch. As there were scarcely two muskets 
in a company of equal calibre, it was necessary to reduce 
the size of the balls for many of them ; and as but a small 
projiortion of the men had cartridge boxes, the remainder 
made use of powder horns and ball pouches. 

After completing the necessarj'^ jireparations for action, 
the regiment formed and marched about 1 o'clock. 
When it readied Charlestown Neck we found two regi- 
ments, halted, in consequence of a heavy enfilading fire 
thrown across it, of round, bar, and chain shot, from the 
Lively frigate, and floating batteries anchored in Charles 
river, and a floating battery lying in the river Mystic. 
Major M'Clary went forward, and observed to the com- 
manders, if they did not intend to move on, he wished 
them to oj)en and let our regiment pass ; the latter was 
immediately done. My company being in front, I march- 
ed by the side of Col. Stark, who moving with a very 
deliberate pace, I suggested the propriety of quickening 
the march of the regiment, that it might sooner be reliev- 
ed from the galling cross fire of the enemy. With a look 
peculiar to himself, he fixed his eyes upon me, and ob- 
served with great composure, " Dearborn, one fresh man 

"This distinguished veteran is still alive, in the 91st year of his age, 
and resides in the State of New Hampshire. He is one of the three 
surviving general officers of the revolutionary war. The other two are 
Major Gen. St. Clair, who lives in the interior of Pennsylvania, and 
Brig. Gen. Huntington, of Connecticut. 



19 

in action, is worth ten fatigued ones," and continued to 
advance in the same cool and collected manner. When 
we had reached the top of Bunker's Hill where Gen. 
Putnam had taken his station, the regiment halted for a 
few moments for the rear to come up. 

Soon after, the enemy were discovered to have landed 
on the shore of Morton's point, in front of Breed's Hill, 
under cover of a tremendous lire of shot and shells from 
a battery on Cop's Hill, in Boston, which had opened on 
the redoubt at daybreak. 

Major General Howe, and Brigadier General Pigot, 
were the commanders of the British forces which first 
landed, consisting of four battalions of infantry, ten com- 
panies of grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, with a 
train of artillery. They formed as tliey disembarked, 
but remained in that position, until they were reinforced 
by another detachment. 

At this moment the veteran and gallant Stark, harang- 
ued his regiment in a short but animated address ; then 
directed them to give three cheers, and make a rapid 
movement to the rail fence whicli ran from the' Ijjrft, and 
about 40 yards in the rear of the redoubt towards Mystic 
river. 

Part of the grass having been recently cut, lay in win- 
rows and cocks on the field. Another fence was taken 
up — the rails run through the one in front, and the hay 
mown in the vicinity, suspended upon them, from the 
bottom to the top, which had the appearance of a breast- 
work, but was in fact, no real cover to the men ; it how- 
ever served as a deception on the enemy. This was done 
by the direction of the " committee of safety^" of which 
James Winthrop, Esq. who then, and now lives in Cam- 
bridge, was one, as he has within a few years informed 
me. Mr. Winthrop himself acted as a volunteer on that 
day, and was wounded in the battle. 

At this moment our regiment was formed in tlie rear of 
the rail fence, with one other small regiment from New- 
Hampshire, under the command of Col. Reed ; the fire 
commenced between the left wing of the British army, 
commanded by Gen. Howe, and the troops in the re- 
doubt under Col. Prescott, while a column of the enemy 
was advancing on our left, on the shore of Mystic river, 
with an evident intention of turnino; our left wins;, and 
that veteran and most excellent regiment of Welsh fusi- 
leers, so distinguished for its gallant conduct in the battle 
of Minden, advanced in column directly on the rail fence, 
when within 80 or an 100 yards, displayed into line, with 



20 

the precision and firmness of troops on parade, and open- 
ed a brisk but regular fire by platoons, which was return- 
ed by a well directed, rapid, and fatal discharge from our 
whole line. 

The action soon became general, and very heavy from 
right to left. In the course of ten or fifteen minutes the 
enemy gave way at all points, and retreated in great dis- 
order, leaving a large number of dead and wounded on the 
field. 

The firing ceased for a short time, until the enemy a- 
gain formed, advanced and recommenced a spirited fire 
from his whole line. Several attempts were again made 
to turn our left, but the troops having thi-own up a slight 
stone wall on the br.nk of the river and laying down be- 
hind it, gave such a deadly fire, as cut down almost ev- 
ery man of the pai ty opposed to them ; while the fire 
from the redoubt and the rail feme was so well directed 
and so fatal, especially to the Britisli officers, that the 
whole army was compelled a second time to retreat with 
precipitation and great confusion. At this time the 
ground occupied by the enemy was covered with his 
^ead and wounded. Only a few small detached parties 
again advanced, which kept up a distant, ineffectual, scat- 
tering fire, until a strong reinforcement arrived from 
Boston, which advanced on the southern declivity of the 
hill, in the rear of Charlestown, it wheeled by platoons 
to the right and advanced directly upon the redoubt with- 
out firing a gun. By this time our ammunition was 
exhausted, a few men only had a charge left. 

The advancing column made an attempt to carry the 
redoubt by assault, but at the first onset every man that 
mounted the parapet was cut down, by the troops with- 
in, who had formed on the opposite side, not being pre- 
pared with bayonets to meet a charge. 

The column wavered for a moment, but soon formed 
again ; when a forward movement was made with such 
spirit and intrepidity as to render the feeble efforts of a 
handful of men, without the means of defence, unavail- 
ing, and they fled through an open space in the rear of 
the redoubt, which had been left for a gate-way. At 
this moment the rear of the British column advanced 
round the angle of the redoubt, and threw in a galling 
flank fire upon our troops, as they rushed from it, which 
killed and wounded a greater number than had fallen be- 
fore during the action. The whole of our line immedi- 
ately gave way and retreated with rapidity and disorder 



21 

towards Bunker's Hill ; carrying off as many of the 
wounded as possible, so that only thirty-six or seven fell 
into the hands of the enemy, among whom were Lt. Col. 
Parker, and two or three other officers who fell in or 
near the redoubt. 

When the troops arrived at the summit of Bunker's 
Hill, we found Gen. Putnam with nearly as many men 
as had been engaged in the battle; notwithstanding which 
no measure had been taken for reinforcing us, nor was 
there a shot fired to cover our retreat, or any movement 
made to check the advance of the enemy to this height, 
but on the contrary. Gen. Putnam rode off, witli a num- 
ber of spades and pick axes in his hands^ and the troops that 
had remained with him inactive during the whole of the 
action, although within a few hundred yards of the bat- 
tle ground and no obstacle to impede their movement 
but musket balls. 

The whole of their troops now descended the north- 
western declivity of Bunker's Hill, and recrossed the 
neck. Those of the New Hampshire line retired to- 
wards Winter Hill, and the others on to Prospect Hill, 

Some slight works were thrown up in the course of 
the evening — strong advance pickets were posted on the 
roads leading to Charlestown, and the troops anticipating 
an attack, rested on their arms. 

It is a most extraordinary fact that the British did not 
make a single charge during the battle, which, if attempt- 
ed, would have been decisive and fatal to the Americans, 
as they did not carry into the field fifty bayonets. In my 
company there was but one. 

Soon after the commencement of the action, a detach- 
ment from the British force in Boston was landed in 
Charlestown, and within a few moments the whole town 
appeared in a blaze. A dense column rose to a great 
height, and there being a gentle breeze from the south- 
west, it hung like a thunder cloud over the contending 
armies. A very few houses escaped the dreadful confla- 
gration of this devoted town. 

From similar mistakes, the fixed ammunition furnish- 
ed for the field pieces was calculated for guns of a larger 
calibre, which prevented the use of field artillery, on 
both sides. There was no cavalry in either army. From 
the ships of war and a large battery on Cop's Hill, a hea- 
vy cannonade was kept up upon our line and redoubt, 
from the commencement to the close of the action, and 
during the retreat ; but with little effect, except killing the 
brave Maj. Andrew M'Clary of Col. Stark's regiment, soon 



22 

after we retired from Bunker's Hill. He was among the 
first officers of the army — possessinjj a sound judgment, 
of undaunted bravery, enterprising, ardent and zealous, 
both as a patriot and soldier. His loss was severely felt 
by his compatriots in ai'ms, while his country was de- 
prived of the services of one of her most promising and 
distinguished cliampions of liberty. 

After leaving tlie field of battle I met him and drank 
some spirit and water with him. He was animated and 
sanguine in tlie result of tlie conflict for independence, 
from the glorious display of valor which had distinguish- 
ed his countrymen on that memorable day. 

He soon observed that the British troops on Bunker's 
Hill appeared in motion, and said he would go and re- 
connoitre them, to see whether they were coming out 
over the neck, at the same time directed me to march 
mv company down the road towards Charlestown. We 
were then at Tufl's house near Ploughed Hill. I imme- 
diately made a forward movement to the position he di- 
rected me to take, and iialted while he proceeded to the 
old pound, which stood on the site now occupied as a 
tavern-house not far from the entrance to the neck. Af- 
ter he had satisfied himself that the enemy did not in- 
tend to leave their strong posts on the heights, he was 
returnino- toveards me, and within twelve or fifteen rods 
of where I stood, with my company, a random shot, 
from one of the frigates lying near where the centre of 
Craio-ie's bridge now is, passed directly through his body 
and put to flight one of the most heroic souls that ever 
animated man. 

He leaped two or three feet from the ground, pitched 
forward, and fell dead upon his face. I had him carried 
to Medford, where he was interred, with all the respect 
and honors we could exhibit to the manes of a great and 
good man. He was my bosom friend ; we had grown up 
together on terms of the greatest intimacy, and I loved 
him as a brother. 

My position in th€ battle, more the result of accident 
than any regularity of formation, was on the right of the 
line at the rail fence, which afforded me a fair view of 
the whole scene of action. 

Our men were intent on cuttin*; down every officer 
they could distinguish in the British line. When any of 
them discovered one he would instantly exclaim " i/iere," 
"see IkntqlTuer,^^ " let us have a shot at /inu," when two or 
three would fire at the same moment ; and as our soldiers 
were excellent marksmen and rested their musketis over 



23 

the fence, they were sure of their object. An officer was 
discovered to mount near the position of Gen. Howe, on 
the left of the British line, and ride towards our left ; 
which a column was endeavoring to turn. This was tiie 
only officer on horseback during the day, and as he ap- 
proached the rail fence, I lieard a number of our men 
observ^e, " there," " there," " see that officer on horse- 
back" — " let us fire," "no, not yet," — ••' wait until he 
gets to that little knoll," — " now" — when they fired and 
he instantly fell dead from his horse. It proved to be 
Major Pitcairn, a distinguished officer. — The fire of the 
enemy was so b"^dly directed, I siiould presume tliat for- 
ty-nine balls out of fifty passed from one to six feet ov^er 
our heads, for I noticed an ap])le-tree, some paces in the 
rear, which had scarcely a ball in it from the ground as 
high as a man's head, while the trunk and branches a- 
bove were literally cut to pieces. 

I commanded a full company in action and had only 
one man killed and five wounded, which was a full aver- 
age of the loss we sustained, excepting those who fell 
while sallyingr from the redoubt, when it was stormed by 
the British column. 

Our total loss in killed was eighty-eio^ht, and as well 
as I can recollect upwards of two hundred wounded. Our 
platoon officers carried fusees. 

In the course of the action after firing away what am- 
munition I had, I walked to the higher ground to the 
right, in rear of the" redoubt, with an expectation of pro- 
curing from some of the dead or wounded men who lay 
there, a supply. While in that situation I saw at some 
distance a dead man lying near a small locust tree. As 
he appeared to be much better dressed than our men gen- 
erally were, I asked a man who was passing me, if he 
knew who it was. He replied " it is Dr. Warren." 

I did not personally know Doctor Warren, but was ac- 
quainted with his public character. He had been re- 
cently apj)ointed a General in our service, but had not 
taken command. He was President of the Provincial 
Congress then sitting at Watertown, and liaviug heard 
that there would probably be an action, had come to 
share in whatever might happen, in the character of a 
volunteer, and was unfortunately killed early in the ac- 
tion. His death was a severe misfortune to his friends 
and country. Posterity will aj)pieciate his worth and 
do honor to his memory. He is immortalized as a patri- 
ot, who gloriously fell in defence of freedom. 

The number of our troops in action as near as I was 



24 

able to ascertain did not exceed fifteen hundred. The 
force of the British, at the commencement of the action, 
was estimated at about the same number, but they were 
frequently reinforced. 

Had our ammunition held out, or had we been suppli- 
ed with only fifteen or twenty rounds, I have no doubt 
but that we should have killed and wounded the greatest 
part of their army, and compelled the remainder to have 
lain down their arms ; for it was with the greatest diffi- 
culty that they were brought up the last time. 

Our fire was so deadly, particularly to the officers, 
that it would have been impossible to have resisted it, 
but for a short time longer. 

I did not see a man quit his post during the action, and 
do not believe a single soldier, who was brought into the 
field, fled, until the whole army was obliged to retreat, 
for want of powder and ball. 

The total loss of the British was about twelve hund- 
red ; upwards of five hundred killed and between six 
and seven hundred wounded. The Welsh fusileers suf- 
fered most severely ; they came into action five liundred 
strong, and all were killed or wounded but eighty three. 

I will mention an extraordinary circumstance to show 
how far the temporary reputation of a man may affec^ 
the minds of all classes of society. 

General Putnam had entered our army at the com^ 
mencement of the revolutionary war, with such an uni- 
versal poj)ularity as can scarcely now be conceived, even 
by tljose who then felt the whole force of it, and no one 
can at this time offer any satisfactory reasons why he 
was held in such high estimation. 

In the battle of Bunker's Hill he took post on the de- 
clivity towards Charlestown neck ; where I saw him on horse- 
back as we passed on to Breed's Hill, with Colonel Ger- 
rish by liis side. I heard the gallant Col. Prescott (who 
commanded in the redoubt) observe after the war, at the 
table of his Excellency James Bowdoin^ then Governor of 
tliis Commonwealth, "that he sent three messengers dur- 
ing the battle to Gen. Putnam, requesting him to come 
forward and take tlie command, there being no general 
officer present, and the relative rank of tlie Colonel not 
having been settled ; but that he received no answer, and 
his whole conduct was such, both during the action and 
tbe retreat, tliat he ought to have been shot." He re- 
mained at or near the top of Bunker Hill until the retreat, 
with Col. Gerrish by his side ; I saw them together when 
we retreated. He not only continued at that distance 



25 

himself during the whole of the action, but had a force 
with him nearly as large as that engaged. No reinforce- 
ment of men or ammunition was sent to our assistance ; 
and, instead of attempting to cover the retreat of those 
who had expended their last shot in the face of the ene- 
my, he retreated in company with Col. Gerrish, and his 
whole force, without discharginor a single musket ; but 
what is still more astonishing. Col. Gerrlsh was arrested 
for cowardice,tried,casliiered^andu:iirersally execrated ; while 
not a word was said against the conduct of Gen. Putnaniy 
whose extraordinary popularity alone saved him,notonly from 
trial, but even from censure. Col- Gerrish commanded a 
regiment, and should have been at its head. His regiment 
was not in action although ordered — but as he was in the 
suit of the General, and appeared to be in the situation of 
Adjutant General, why was he uot directed by Putnam to 
join it, or the regiment sent into action under the senior 
officer present with it. 

When Gen. Putnam^s ephemeral and unaccountable 
popularity subsided or faded away, and the minds of the 
people were released from the shackles of a delusive 
trance, the circumstances relating to Bunker Hill were 
viewed and talked of in a very different light, and the selection 
of the unfortunate Col. Gerrish as a scape-goat considered' 
as a mysterious and inexplicable event. 

I have no private feeling to gratify by making this 
statement in relation to Gen. Putnam, as I never had any 
intercourse with him, and was only in the army where 
he Avas present, for a few months ; but at this late period, 
I conceive it a duty to give a fair and impartial account 
of one of the most important battles during the war of 
independence, and all the circumstances connected with 
it so far as I had the means of being correctly informed. 

It is a duty I owe to posterity, and the character of 
those brave officers who bore a share in the hardships of 
the revolution. 

Nothing like discipliue had entered our army at that 
time. Gen. Ward, then commander-in-chief, remain- 
ed at his quarters in Cambridge, and apparently took no inter- 
est or part in the transactions of the day. 

No general officer, except Putnam, appeared in sight, 
nor did any officer assume the command, undertake to 
form the troops, or give any orders, that I heard, except 
Cel. Stark, who directed his regiment to reserve their 
fire on the retreat of the enemy, until they advanced, 
again. Every platoon officer was engaged in discharging 
his own musket, and left his men to fire as they pleased, 
4 



26 

but never without a sure aim at some particular object, 
which was more destructive than any mode which could 
have been adopted with troops wlio were not inured to 
discipline, and never had been in battle, but were still fa- 
miliar with the use 'jf arms, from boyljood, and each 
having his peculiar manner of loading and firing, which 
had been practised upon for years, with tlie same gun ; 
any attempt to control them by iiniformity and system, 
would have rendered their fires infinitely less fatal to the 
enemy. Not an officer or soldier of the continental troops 
engaged was in uniform, but were in the plain and ordin- 
ary dress of citizens ; nor was there an officer on horse- 
back. (Signed) H. DEARBORN. 



In the foregoing accounts it will be noticed, as a thing 
hardly to have been expected, that the narrators should 
have so well agreed in all the leading features of their 
narrations ; when, too,it is considered that they were very 
little acquainted with each other during the revolutiona- 
ry war, never having served in the same corps or divis- 
ion of the army, or been intimate afterwards in civil life. 
In one particular only do they differ, and that of little or 
no consequence as respects the main transactions of the 
day. Heath and Wilkinson state that Gen. Warren fell 
at the commencement of or during the retreat. Dear- 
born says he fell early in the action. 

In this particular the veracity of the narrators are not 
necessarily impeacl)ed. Heath and Wilkinson were nei- 
ther of them present when the fate of Warren was seal- 
ed, and therefore must have made their statement from 
common report, or from the best information they could 
obtain at the time they wrote. Dearborn with more cor- 
rectness tells us how'he came by his information, for he 
was not personally acquainted with Warren. Seeing a 
well dressed man dead, he enquired who it was, and was 
told, " It is Dr. Warren." This was in the course of the 



21 

action, and there could have been no inducement for the 
person enquired of to have given wrong information. — 
This question h settled by Deacon Lavi^rence of Groton, 
who knew General Warren well, " saw him when the 
ball struck hiin, and from that time till he expired," and 
this was during the action. 

But what was not to have been expected, is, that all 
the above accounts should be contradicted and attempted 
to be invalidated by the statement of a Col. John Small 
of the British army, related to Col. John Trumbull in 
London, and by Trumbull related to Col. Daniel Putnam, 
the son of Gen. Putnam, and published by the latter gen- 
tleman in 1818, and is as follows. " In the summer of 
1786 I became acquainted in London with Col. John 
Small, of the British army, who had served in America 
many years, and had known General Putnam intimately 
during the war of Canada from 1756 to 1763. From 
him, I had the two following anecdotes respecting the 
battle of Bunker Hill ; I shall nearly repeat his words : 
looking at the picture which I had almost completed, he 
said : '' I do not like the situation in which you have 
placed my old friend Putnam ; you have not done him 
justice.* I wish you would alter that part of your pic- 
ture, and introduce a circumstance which actually hap- 
pened, and which I can r.ever forget. When the British 
troops advanced the second timelo the attack of the re- 
doubt, I, with other officers, was in front of the line to 
encourage the men ; we had advanced very near the 
works undisturbed, when an irregular fire, like a feu-de- 
joie, was poured in upon us ; it was cruelly fatal. The 
troops fell back, and when I looked to the right and left, 
I saw not one officer standing ; I glanced my eye to the 
enemy, and saw several young men levelling their pieces 
at me ; I knew their excellence as marksmen, and con- 
sidered myself gone. At that moment my old friend 
Putnam rushed forward, and striking up the muzzles of 
their pieces with his sword, cried out, " For God's sake, 
my lads, don't fire at that man— I love him as I do my 
brother." We were so near each other that I heard his 
words distinctly. He was obeyed ; I bowed, thanked 
him, and walked away unmolested. 



*The injustice Small here alluded to, waa that Trur - picture 

of Bunker Hill, had placed Putnam on the hill ab , battU 

was and about 600 yards from it. 



2S 

The other anecdote relates to the death of Gen. Warren. 

'' At the moirient when the troop succeeded in carrying 
the redoubt^ and the Americans were in full retreat^ Gen. 
Howe (who had been hurt by a spent ball which bruised 
his ancle) was leaning on my arm. He called suddenly 
to me ; " Do you see that elegant younjr man who has 
just fallen ? Do you know hiin ?" I looked to the spot 
towards v/hich he pointed — " Good God, Sir, I believe it 
is my friend Warren." " Leave me then instantly — run 
— keep off the troops, save him if ])Ossible." I flew to 
the spot, " my dear friend," I said to him, " I hope you 
are not badly hurt ; he looked up, seemed to recollect 
me, smiled and died ! a musket ball had passed through 
the upper part of his head. JOHN TRUMBULL." 
Daniel Putnam, Esq. 

If the story of Small is true, Dearborn is mistaken as 
to the time of Warren's death, and Heath, Lee and Wil- 
kinson, as well as Dearborn, are mistaken as to who was 
the proper commanding officer in the redoubt. They 
all say Prescott was, but if Putnam was present in the 
redoubt, as Small would have it, then was he the comman- 
der, being senior to Prescott. 

There is considerable reason, from the face of Small's 
story, to induce us to doubt its correctness. The conver- 
sation between Putnam and Small, considering the time, 
place and situation of the parties, is unnatural. If Put- 
nam was desirous of saving the life of Small, from for- 
mer acquaintance and attachment, there could be no 
good reason why he should not have made him a prison- 
er as was his duty, and certainly in his power. 

It is not probable that this conversation should have 
taken place, and eiglit hundred persons present in the 
redoubt, and within iiearing distance, and no one then or 
since heard a word of it till 1818, thirty three years af- 
ter Small says it happened. The other part of Small's 
story relating to the death of Gen. Warren, is not more 
probable from the face of it. Warren was not a young 
man, as Small calls him, having received the honors of 
Harvard University in 1759, he was at least middle ag- 
ed. Small calls Warren his friend ; tliis implies a pre- 
vious and intimate acquaintance. How could tiiis have 
been ; Warren was not in the War of Canada, and from 
the time Small arrived in Boston in 1775 to the day of 
Bunker Hill battle, Small was besieged in Boston, and 
Warren presiding in the Provincial Congress at Water- 
town. 



29 

It is not improbable from the face of Small's story to 
Trumbull, that Trumbull has mistaken his story, or more 
probable that the whole is the mere rodomontade of Small, 
It has always been acknowled'i,ed that Gen. Howe was 
the bravest among the brave, and exposed his person 
more than usual on that day, but Small surpassed him, 
for when Howe thou3;ht it prudent to retire from the 
scene of butchery, Small remained exposed and alone, 
and uselessly so. 

If thece observations, tojjether with the impartial nar- 
ratives of four general officers of tiie Auierican army, 
are not sufficient to entirely invalidate Small's statement, 
there is further and sufficient proof to destroy it. The 
followiiig statement of Deacon Lawrence, under oath, 
goes directly to the point. 

" I, Samuel Lawrence, of Groton, Esquire, testify and 
say, that I was at the battle of Bunker Hill, (so called) in 
Col. William Prescott's regiment ; that I marched with 
the regiment to the point on Breed's Hill, which was 
fixed on for a redoubt ; that I assisted in throwing up the 
work, and in forming a redoubt, under Col. Prescott, who 
directed the whole of this operation. The work was 
begun about nine o'clock in the evening of June 16tli, 
1775. I was there the whole time, and continued in the 
redoubt, or in the little fort, during the whole battle, un- 
til the enemy came in and a retreat was ordered. 

Gen. Putnam was not present either while the works 
were erecting, or during the battle. I could see dis- 
tinctly the rail fence and the troops stationed there dur- 
ing the battle, but Gen. Putnam was not present as I 
saw. Just before the battle commenced, General War- 
ren came to the redoubt. He had on a blue coat, white 
waistcoat, and I think a cocked hat, but of this I am not 
certain — Col. Prescott advanced to him, said " he was 
glad to see him, and hoped he would take the command." 
General Warren replied, "no, he came to see the action, 
but not to take command ; that he was only a volunteer 
on that day." Afterwards I saw General Warren shot ; 
I saw him when the ball struck him, and from that time 
until he expired. No British officer v^'as within forty or 
fifty rods of him, from the time the ball struck him un- 
til I saw he was dead. 

(Signed,) SAMUEL LAWRENCE." 

Sw^orn to before Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace, &c. 



so 

The following statement of Samuel R. Trevett, poiiY- 
tedly contradicts Col. Small's story. 

" I commanded a company of artillery from the town 
of Marblehead, attached to Col. Richard Gridley's regi- 
ment, stationed at CairbriiJ^ie. About one o'clock in the 
afternoon of the 17lh of Jnne, 1775, I left Cambridge 
with my company, for Bunker's Hill. When about a 
quarter of a mile from the Colleges, I saw Gen. Putnam 
pass upon a iiorte towui J^j the town of Cambridge, and 
m 15 or 20 nii.iates i saw him pass in like manner to- 
wards Charlestoivn. When I arrived at Bunker's flill, 
on the north west side, I there saw Gen. Putnam dis- 
mounted, in company with several others. I iialted my 
company, and went forv/ard to select a station for my 
pieces, and on my return, saw Gen, Putnam as before ; 
the American and English forces being then engaged. — 
I proceeded on with my company, and soon after joined 
that part of the America!! force at the rail fence, towards 
Mystic river, the Americans commenced a general re- 
treat. As I was descending tlie north west side of Bun- 
ker's Hill, I again saw Gen. Putnam in tlie same place, 
putting his tent upon liis horse. I asked him where I 
should retreat with tlie lield piece I had brought off, he 
replied to Cambridge, and I accordingly marched my 
company to Cambridge. 

It) the month of May or June, 1795, being in the island 
of Guernsey, I liad occasion in the course of business to 
call upon Maj. (alias (.'ol.) Small, the Governor. After 
closing my business witli him, lie remarked that my coun- 
tenance was not new to him, and encpiired where he had 
seen me. I replied tliat it nuist have been at Col. Inger- 
soU's tavern in Boston — and that I had once been opposed 
to him in action. He immediately entered into a free 
and general conversation on tlje battle of Bunker's Hill 
— but he made no inquiry after Gen. Putnam, nor did he 
in any way, eitlier directly or indirectly, allude to him, 
either as a friend or an officer. 

SAMUEL R. TREVETT." 

Boston, June 2, 1818, 



Affidavit of Robert Bradford JVilkins. 

" I, Robert B. Wilkins, of Concord, county of Rock- 
ingham, State of New Hampshire, do testify and say, 
that I acted as a private soldier in the battle of Breed'* 



SI 

Hill, otherwise called the battle of Bunker's Hill, on the 
17th of June, 1775 ; thai I was attached to Capt. Levi 
Spaulding's company, of Col. James Reed's regiment. — 
TJial I was on that (lay, stationed in Cliarlestown, below 
the neck and on the main street, tliat our comj)any pro- 
ceeded iVoni thence on to Bunker's Hill, over the hollow 
and on to Breed's Hill, that after our c mpany arrived at 
the works, near Mystic river, I was sent back on an er- 
rand, by the Captain, to the house where we had been 
stationed, and on returnijjg by a rout nearer to the neck, 
than that we first passed, I saw Gen. Putnam with Col. 
Gerrish, as near as I could judge one hundred rods from 
the line and troops I had left ; that tiie firing witii small 
arms commenced after I returned the second lime ; that 
in the action the enemy were three times rept'lsed ; that 
in the interval between the second and third repulse, I 
received a severe wound from a musket ball in my right 
elbow joint, for wiiich wound, I have since received a 
pension from the government of the United States ; that 
I then left the field of battle just before the retreat of the 
Americans from the fort, and passed onto Bunker's Hill, 
where I found Gen. Putnam and Col. Gerrish in nearly 
the same place where I first saw them ; that I was then 
almost exhausted from the loss of blood ; that Col. Ger- 
rish gave me some refreshment and bound a handkerchief 
around my arm at tiie place of my wound, and sent two 
men to assist mc over the neck, who left me before I had 
cleared the neck, and I fell and lay on the .ground, until 
nearly all the Americans had retreated from the hill, 
when I was helped off. I served from the commence- 
ment to the close of the revolutionary war, and acted 
successively as a private, a sergeant, ensiirn and lieuten- 
ant. ROBERT B. WILFvINS." 
Sworn to before Samuel Greene, Justice of the Peace. 
May 30, 1818. 



Rev. Dr. William Bentley^s statement. 

Salem, May 20, 1818. 
" I was with Gen. Stark on the 31st of May, 1810. I 
always had a deep interest in the man, and ucually kept 
a notice of the subject of our conversation. I found him 
in great good liumor, and soon upon his old war stories, 
which I did not take care minutely to pre.?erve, because 
Maj. Caleb Stark had told me he was collecting every 



• 52 

thing worthy of tlie {)ub!ic eye, and to be published after 
his fatlier's decease, and in due honor of hh njemory. As 
among oilier objects, I intended to get a likeness, and was 
iincertaii) of success, auion^ the maps, print?, and papers 
I carried him, were some portraits, and among them was 
one of Gen. Putnam. I recollect upon the sight of the 
head of Gen. Putnam, he said "• My Chaplain" as he cal- 
led me, you know my oj)inion of that man. Had he done 
his duty, he would have decided the fate of his country in 
the first action. He then proceeded to describe to me 
the scene of action, and tiie '"pen" as he called the enclo- 
sed works, and breast works, and gave his reasons for 
not entering it, and tiie want of judoment in the works. 
He then told me where he saw Gen. Putnam, and what 
was done on the occasion, and his remarks were as severe 
as his genius and the sentiments of ardent patriotism 
could make them. As Gen. Stark always used the same 
language on the subject, it will be recollected bv many 
of his friends. Vv^ILLIAM BENTLEY." 



Certificate of the Rev. Daniel ChapUn, D. J), of Grotoiiy 
and Rev. John Bullard of Pepper ell. 
" This may certify tlie public, that we whose names 
v.'e have given, were in the habits of intiniacy with Col. 
W. Prescott, of Pcppcrell, a man of the strictest integrity, 
during most of the period after he left the revolutionary 
army until his death ; that at sundry times in conversa- 
tion with him about the war, jiarticularly about the bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill, so called, he uniformly told us, that 
Major General Warren came to the fort on Breed's Hill, 
which had been formed the nij^ht preceding, a little be- 
fore the British made an attack on the works ; that he. 
Col. Prescott, said to Gen. Warren, " I am happy to see 
you. General," or using words to the same elfect, " for 
you will now take command, and I will obey your orders 
and am relieved." Said General Warren to him, in re- 
])ly, " I have no command here. Col. Prescott, I am a 
volunteer, I came to learn actual service." Prescott 
said, " I wish then you would look at the works we 
have thrown up, and give your opinion." Warren re- 
j)lied, " you are better acquainted with military matters 
than I am " After which they immediately parted, and 
n)et not again. Col. Prescott further informed us re- 
peatedly, that when a retreat was oidered and commen- 
ced, he was descending the hill, he met General Putnam, 



33 

and said to him, " why did you not support me, General, 
with your men, as I had reason to expect, according to 
agreement." Putnam answered, "• I could not (Zritc the 
dogs up." Prescott pointedly said to him, " If you could 
not drive them up, you might have led them up " We 
have good reason to believe further, from declarations of 
some of our parishioners, men of respectability, whose 
veracity cannot be doubted, who belonged to Col. Pres- 
cott's regiment, and were present through the whole ser- 
vice, that Gen. Putnam was not on Breed's Hill the night 
preceding, or on that day, except that just before the at- 
tack was made, he might have gone to the fort and or- 
dered the tools to be carried oif, that they might not fall 
into the hands of the enemy in the event of his carrying 
the works, and holding the ground, and that he and his 
men, with Col. Gerrish, remained on the side of Bunker 
Hill towards the neck during the whole actios. 

(Signed,) DANIEL CHAPLIN 

JOHN BULLARD." 
Crroton, June 5, 1818, 



Statement of the Hon. Mel Parker, Judge of Probate. 

" As I was in the battle on Breed's Hill, otherwise eaU 
led Bunker's Hill, on the 17th day of June, 1'775, and 
there received one ball through my leg, another having 
passed through my clothes, all accounts of that battle 
which I have seen published, have been to me extremely 
interesting. But I have never seen any account which I 
considered in any degree correct, until the one published 
by Gen. Dearborn. On perusing that account with the 
utmost attention, I could discover but one mistake, and 
that related to his assertion, " that there was not a man 
that flinched," or to that effect, for his narrative is not 
now before me, and even in that case, I believe the Gen- 
eral's assertion may be strictly true, if his meaning be 
confined to the time after his arrival on the hill. Previ" 
ous to that, there were many who left the ground at the 
fort, particularly at the landing of the British troops ; 
but after the commencement of the battle with small arms, 
I know of no man's leaving his post, until the order to 
retreat was given by Col Prescott. But notv/ithstand- 



84 

ing the correctness of Gen. Dearborn's description of that 
battle, some persons seem to be much exasperated by it, 
in particular as to what he asserted in regard to General 
Putnam. As long as tlioy confined themselves to mere 
declaination, without bringinjf forward any evidence to 
disprove the General's assertion, I deemed ii unnecessary 
for mo 10 appear in vindication of the General's state- 
ment. But on perusing a letter from Col. Trumbull to 
Col. Putnam, wherein mention is made of a conversation 
■with Col. Small in London, I concluded, notwithstanding 
my aversion to taking any part in a newspaper discussion, 
that to remain any longer silent, would be absolutely 
criminal. I shall therefore, in as concise a manner u 
possible, state what I know relating to that memorable 
battle. Immediately after the battle of Lexington, I en- 
gaged in the service of my country, in Capt. John Nut- 
ting's company, in the regiment commanded by CoL 
William Prescott. Both of these officers belonged to 
the town of Pepperell, where I then lived. I was at 
this time a little more than twenty two years of age. — 
On the 16lh day of June following, Colonel Prescott'g 
regiment with two or three others, were ordered to march 
and take possession of Bunker's Hill. On our arrival at 
the place called Charlestown neck, a halt was made, and 
Capt. Nutting's company, with ten of the Connecticut 
troops, were detached to proceed into Charlestown as « 
guard ; the remainder marched to the hill, which in fact 
was Breed's, and not Bunker's Hill, where they commen- 
ced building a small fort. In the morning, not far from 
sun-rising, the alarm was fired from the British vessel 
lying in the river. Sometime after this, Nutting's com- 
pany left the town, and marched to join the regiment on 
the hill. When we arrived there the fort was in consid- 
erable forwardness, and the troops commenced throwing 
up the breast-work mentioned by General Dearborn. — 
We had not been long employed in that work, before tho 
cannon shot from a hill in Boston, and the vessels lyings 
in the river were poured in upon us in great profusion. 
However, the work progressed until it would answer the 
purpose for which it was designed. But the firing from 
the Britisii artillery continued with unabated fury.-— 
Sometime before this, there was brought to the fort sev- 
eral brass field pieces, one of which was actually fired 
towards Boston ; but the ball did not reach the town. It 
had this effect, however, on the British, that it made them 
double their diligence in firing upon us. In the time of 
this heavy fire, I, for the first time that day, saw General 



35 

Putnam standing with otliers, under cover of the north 
wall of the fort, where, I believe, he remained until the 
British troops made their appearance in their boats. At 
this time the artillery was withdrawn from the fort, but 
by whose orders I know not, and General Putnam, at, or 
near the same lime, left the fort. The removing of the 
artillery, and Gen. Piitnaui's dej)artnre, tooii place a lit- 
tle before (iCmy memory be correct) tiie New llainpshire 
troo])s made their appearance on the iilU. I saw tliem 
when they arrived, and '.vitnea?ed tlieir dexterity in throw- 
ing up tlieir breaslvvork of rails and hay. When the 
British first made their attack v/ith siaali arms, I was at 
the breast work, where I remairsed uatil I received my 
wound from the party who iianked it ; I then went to the 
fort, where I remained until tlie order to retreat was o^iv- 
en by Col. Piescott. After my arrival at the fort I had 
a perfect opportunity of vie^ving the operations of the 
day, and di^tmctly noticed Col. Prescott as the only per- 
son who took upon him any command He frequently 
ordered the men from one side to the other, in order to 
defend that part which was prest hardest by the eiiemy ; 
and I was within a few yards of him, when the order to 
retreat was given ; and I affirm, that at that time Gen. 
Putnam was not in the fort, neither had he been there at 
any time after my entering the same ; and I have no hes- 
itation in declaring, that the story told by Col. Small to 
Col. Trumbull, concerning Gen. Putnam's saving him 
from the fire of our men at that time, is altogether un- 
founded. ABEL PARKER." 
Jeffrev N. H., May 27, 1818. 



36 

Gen. Wilkinson in his account of the battle says, " he 
has been assured that the Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
shire troops were the only ones engaged in the action. — 
This is a mistake, and probably arose from the fact, that 
Captain Kncwiton of the Connecticut line, with four 
lieutenants, and one hundred and twentj- men, marched on 
to the Hill on the evening of tlie 16tii of Jiuie, 1775, 
with Col. Prescott, and were considered a part of his 
command of one thousand men. Botta in his " History 
of the war of the Independence of the United Stales of 
America," considers Prescott, Starke and Knowlton as 
separate commanders of the allied forces engaged. He 
says, *' The troops of Massachusetts commanded by Col. 
Prescott, occupied Charlestown, the redoubt, and part of 
the trench ; those of Connecticut, commanded by Capt. 
Knowlton, and those of New Hampshire, commanded by 
Col. Stark, the rest of the trench. 

Captain Knowlton was a native of Ashford, Connecti- 
cut, and during the seige of Boston was promoted to a 
majority, and commanded the party which burnt the 
residue of the buildings in Charlestown, in the night 
time, which service was performed to the approbation of 
the commander-in-chief, under the fire of the enemy's 
batteries on Bunker's Hill, which they had fortified and 
then occupied. During the occupancy of New York, by 
Washington, he m as promoted to a Lieutenant Colonelcy ; 
and after the unfortunate, if not disgraceful retreat of 
the Americans from that city, the enemy appeared before 
our lines at Harlem Heights, when Knowlton was per- 
sonally called on by Washington to meet and check their 
advance, and enspirit our dejected army, which he did 
with alacrity and great animation. In this rencontre he 
lost his valuable life. 

He was a brave and intelligent officer, and an ardent 
and upright patriot ; always first among equals. 

His four Lieutenants were John Keyes, Hunting- 
ton, Thomas Grosvenor, and Esquire Hills. Keyes and 
Hills were both from Ashford,* and in 1818 were both 
alive and residing in the State of New York. How long 
they continued in the army or to what rank they attain- 
ed during the war of Independence is not known. But 
Keyes, after the war, had the title of General, and Hills 

*Gof1frRy Grosvenor, Esq. of Minot, formrrly of Connecticut, believes 
Gen. litm'lington to Iihvc beon one of Knowlton's Lieutenants. Lomnel 
Grosvenor, now Post Mti.~ter of Pninfret, Con. now 79 yeari5 oM, and wlio 
was in the army at Boston, is not certain ; but names the three above, and if 
iiuntinglon was not one, he is at a loss to recollect who was. 



37 

that of Captain. By their cotemporaries they were con- 
sidered excellent officers. 

Huntington was afterwards promoted to the rank of 
Brig. General on the continental establishment, and left 
the army at the close of the war with that rank. 

Grosvenor, at the close of the war, commanded a regi- 
ment on the continental establishment. Botli the latter 
gentlemen, during their military career, were always 
respected and sometimes distinguished, as the rapidity of 
their promotions would indicate. In civil life they were 
highly respected. They were both living in Connecti- 
cut since the year 1818. 

Such a corps as Knowlton's, and thus officered, dc^ 
serve to be noticed as the compeers of Prescott and Stark. 

Knowlton lost more men in the action, than any corps 
of the army engaged in the action on Breed's Hill, ac- 
cording to the numbers he commanded. 



From the foregoing accounts it may be presumed that 
all the facts relative to this important day, of sufficient 
magnitude to be transmitted to posterity are to be found. 
And at least one mistake rectified. This relates to an in- 
dividual, Col. Samuel Gerrish, who till this day stood 
high in the public estimation. He had been an officer of 
respectable standing in the French War, and then recent- 
ly elected unanimously by the Provincial Congress, the 
first Colonel in the Massachusetts forces. After this bat- 
tle he was arrested for cowardice, tried, cashiered and 
universally execrated. No one in the army at tiie time, 
who was acquainted with the transaction, believed him 
guilty. The general opinion and conversation was, that 
the army on thai day were guilty of many sins, and Ger- 
rish, being the largest man In it, was selected to make the 
atonement. 

The late Judge Tudor who acted as Judge Advocate to 
the Court Martial, has publicly and repeatedly said that 
he considered Col. Gerrhh as very hardly dealt by. Col. 
James Scamtnan, who commanded a regiment on that 
day, from the County of York, and arrested, tried and 
acquitted of the same charge, always declared, when 
speaking of Gerrish's fate, that any officer in the army 
might have been found guilty of the same offence, with 



'9» 

as mnch justice as Gerrish. These individual opinions 
\rere not considered by many of sufficient weight, to bal> 
ance the opinion of a Court Martial and to rescue the 
character of Gerrish from infamy — although it may be 
admitted that all Courts, and especially Court Martials, 
are oiten inflneMced, if not governed, by feelings and pre* 
jndices, and sometimes by corniption. But when Gen. 
Dearborn, who always acted without fear or reproach, 
adds his opinion in favor of Gerrish, there seems to be no 
sufficient reason why he shouM not be fully credited. 

It is true Gerrish remained on Bunker Hill, out of the 
fire of the enemy duriiig the action, and so did fifteen 
hundred other officers and ptivates, who should have 
been in the action, among whom was at least one Major 
General. It was never pretended that Gerrish was ever 
ordered by this general officer to go into action ; but on 
the contrary, this general was desirous tofortifv Bunker's 
Hill, instead of defendinj Breed's Hill, which was then 
attacked ; and eventually carried for the want of these ve- 
ry fifteen hundred men, who could have lelieved those 
engaged in five minutes march. The reason Gen. Put- 
nam says this was not done, was that he could not drive 
the dogs up. 

The motives which actuated Gen. Dearborn in making 
this statement, in favor of the mal-treated Gerrish, at the 
time he did, should be duly appreciated, as nothing but 
his respect for truth, and his object that of rescuing the 
character of an honest patriot from unjust and cruel cen- 
sure, could have induced him to make this statement. 



I 



